From the Stratosphere

Hellos!

I like the name of the band and the name of the song, and all the nature references in the song.

I don't know how long I can keep ignoring this volcano choir inside my soul...
Like the islands in the sea, we are united in the deep...

There isn't a lot of information about the band, and only a few tracks to their name. Quite a lucky stumble upon.

How I Leapt From the Stratosphere : Mountains of the Moon

Oye!
So sorry you are not well. I have another song for you. Totally happy kind of get-well-soon kind of song! You have probably heard a song by this guy before-- this song has been in my head on and off. Must have heard it in a movie recently. Checked out other stuff by him, and found this one; love it.
Hope you are pain-free soonly. 

I'm Alive : Michael Franti & Spearhead 

Black Hole Sun

Hey,

I went on a Chris Cornell binge the other day, like I'm sure half the world did. What a voice! 
Here's an eerily good cover of one of his most well known songs from Soundgarden. 

How was your week at home?! It rained in Delhi today- that's a big deal after the sweltering temperatures the past week. 

:)

Black Hole Sun (Cover) : Nouela

An original Animals classic, this Lana Del Rey cover presents a new twist to it. I think you may like it a lot.
-Sudhir

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood : Lana Del Rey

Meetings and Music

Hey you,

Back again after a quiet hiatus. Was so much fun meeting you last week here in my new city. We should have taken a picture for the blog. Oh well, come visit again. :)

Here's a song by a band from Estonia. They have some pretty cool music and equally cool music videos. Like how the song starts with just the bass guitar and clapping as accompaniment.They seem to be quite well known in their corner of the world. Quite glad to have discovered them now. Enjoy.

Hope you have a fun month at home. :)
- Tanisha

Good Man Down : Ewert and the Two Dragons

So great seeing you this week after what seems like an eternity. Unfortunately, this song is not in direct response to seeing you though. I have been on a Bon Jovi trip. This is one of my favourites. I especially like his acoustic cover of it. Jon Bon is actually quite a good singer. Hope you like it too.
-Sudhir

Always : Bon Jovi

Happy Tanisha Day

Taking a step back from picking songs to allow some of our loyal listeners to chime in and wish you a happy birthday. I know you aren't a big fan of birthdays, but consider this a consolidation of all the things I normally do to annoy you but can't because we are on different continents now. Considering that you had coffee with me on November 21st, 2012, aren't you glad I wasn't around in 2016?

Anyways,I wrote you a greeting which I think will be acceptable for a person who doesn't like their birthday. Besides, I must balance out the mush from the following posts. Here goes...

You are now 27 and I have known you for ten years. It has been enjoyable. There are 365 days in a year (sometimes 366) you were born on one of those and it is noted. I hope this year is pleasant and that you achieve success in a reasonable number of your aspirations. You are pretty ok, I guess.

With utmost sincerity,

Sudhir

----------------------------------------

As I was writing this, the first song that came to mind is, 'Funny The Way It Is' and I feel like it appropriately reminds me of you; of various conversations we've had and what I've seen of your life's journey. You seem comfortable being yourself and at ease with looking for better questions rather than settling for easy answers. You're one of the few people that I can un-ironically describe as having the joie de vivre and I hope you maintain that spark. All the best for your 28th #macroadventure and thanks for the postcards. 

- Joel

Funny The Way It Is : Dave Matthews Band

Happy Birthday Tanisha! We've always shared a love for good musicals and I can't thank you enough for alerting me to the sheer brilliance that is Hamilton. This song off the Hamilton mixtape is taken on one the most popular lines in the show- "Immigrants; we get the job done". Apparently Lin Manuel Miranda had to incorporate a pause in the music after this line, because it usually meets with such thunderous applause. I love the lyrics in this mixtape version - particularly the Riz MC bit -  and I hope you do too!
- Sanjana

Immigrants (We Get The Job Done) : Snow Tha Product, K'Nann, Riz MC, Residente Calle 13

This is my contribution for those much needed impromptu dance sessions as you deal with full-fledged adulthood. Also, eh eh mon ami a nkele n'ta translates to - my friend has chosen only her. May only the best things in life choose you.
- Minita

A Kele Nta : MHD

When I was asked to dedicate a song for Tanisha's birthday, a song just popped in my mind spontaneously. It's called Honest, by Francesca Battistelli. I first heard this song when I was visiting Tanisha in Delhi. She was rehearsing this song to sing at church. Personally, when I heard Tanisha rehearsing it, I felt that this was one of her best rendition. Simple song, but powerfully sung. I am far from being a singer, but after listening to Tanisha sing it, I decided that if I ever have the courage to sing a solo in church, it would be this song. 
- Nikita

If We're Honest : Francesca Battistelli

Mango Trees

Sudhir's choice:
I thought you would like this sweet melodic piece to help start your week off correctly. Once again, Spotify is to blame for helping me discover this song. Hope you like it. Also, how awesome is her voice? 

Oh Please My Heart : Redbird

Tanisha's choice:
The music video shows the singer, his manager and film maker traveling from Edinburgh to St.Ives couch surfing and performing in a variety of places. It reminded me of when Prateek Kuhad was in Bangalore and wanted to do a home gig, and we offered him your halli garden. I don't know how he chose any other option over singing under the mango trees in your house. We could even offer him tents and campfires, and plenty of people to perform for. His loss! 

The past two weeks been super busy- my fault that we skipped posting last week. Hope you've been good. Enjoy the song :) 

St.Ives : Charlie Straw

Only the Wild Ones

Hey you,

The past week has flown by, and summer has arrived in Delhi. I can already feel my body start cooking towards a medium rare state. Will be nicely well done by May, meat falling off the bone by June. Haha!

Anyway, since you are indisposed this week, I will treat you to my two good finds. Both trio male bands. Have you heard of Dispatch? They aren't a new band, but I don't know any of their music. This track is from their upcoming album release. Quite an interesting mix of genres- some reggae for sure, a bit of stomp and holler half way through the song, and general indie folk rock stuff.

Platon Karataev is a band from Hungary. Great song, great lyrics, interesting accents, good harmony. Cool shots in their video too. :)

Hope you enjoy them! 

Only the Wild Ones : Dispatch

Elevator : Platon Karataev

Everyone's Talking

Hello!
I might have sent you this guy a long time ago. But he's been making some new music, so here he is again. I am in Bangalore right now. But it's for work, so it's kinda awesome and kinda weird! Haha. Have a great week.
- Tanisha

Everyone's Talking : James Hersey





Sudhir's Pick

I think I have found my new favourite beat - Afrobeat. Seun Kuti is the son of a legend of the genre and has taken over his father's band, Egypt 80 on his father's death. A friend of mine went to his concert yesterday and highly recommended his stuff. I think it's pretty cool. Take a listen.

-Sud

Black Woman : Seun Kuti & Egypt 80